Crafting an authentic Iranian chicken kebab is part recipe, part ritual. At Next Stop Cafe in Winnipeg, every joojeh kebab that leaves our kitchen follows the same multi-day process — one our chefs learned from their families and have refined over years of cooking on Pembina Hwy.
Day one: sourcing and prep
Authentic kebab starts with the right chicken. We use halal-certified boneless thigh, hand-trimmed for even cooking. Breast is faster but dries out; thigh delivers the juice and forgiveness that high-heat grilling demands.
Day one (afternoon): the marinade
The marinade is built fresh:
- Grated yellow onion, salted and squeezed for juice only
- Whole-milk Mediterranean yogurt
- Fresh lemon juice
- Iranian saffron threads bloomed in warm water
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
The chicken cubes go into the marinade and rest, covered, in the fridge for a full 24 hours.
Day two: the grill
We grill over real charcoal, which hits temperatures gas grills can't reach. The skewers are loaded loosely, brushed with saffron-butter, and rotated constantly during the first minute to seal the surface. Then we slow down and let the char develop while the inside finishes cooking — typically 8–12 minutes total.
Day two: the plating
Joojeh comes off the grill and lands on a bed of saffron basmati rice with butter melting underneath. A grilled tomato, a wedge of lemon, a small bowl of sumac, and fresh herbs round out the plate. Nothing extra. Nothing missing.
Why the process matters
Every shortcut shows in the bite. Skip the 24-hour marinade and the meat tastes flat. Use breast instead of thigh and it's dry. Fake saffron and the colour and aroma vanish. Authentic kebab respects every step.
Taste the craft
Joojeh kebab is on our menu every day at 333 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg. View the kebab menu or book a table to taste the difference real technique makes.
FAQ
How is joojeh different from shish taouk? Joojeh uses saffron-yogurt-lemon; shish taouk uses garlic, paprika, and Levantine spices. Different traditions, both great.
Do you offer kebab platters for catering? Yes — our mixed grill platters are our top catering item.
Halal? 100%.